Double refuse can holder



Nov. 18, 1969 c. R. BAILEY DOUBLE REFUSE CAN HOLDER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed June 5, 1968 INVENTOR CHARLES R. BAILEY filowwad ame/fiz/nedcidaeaguufmd ATTORNEYS Nov. 18, 1969 c. R; B A'ILEY DOUBLE REFUSECAN HOLDER 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed June 3. 1968 pay INVENTOR CHARLE S R.BAILEY ATTORNEYj United States Patent M 3,479,047 DOUBLE REFUSE CANHOLDER Charles R. Bailey, Charleston Heights, S.C., assignor to F. F.Murphy, Cainhoy, S.C. Filed June 3, 1968, Ser. No. 734,058 Int. Cl. 136%1/18, N26

US. Cl. 280-4719 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Background of theinvention Portable multiple refuse can holders are well known in theart. These holders in general are of a wheelbarrowlike construction andcomprise a tubular frame having a pair of wheels journaled on an axle onthe forward end thereof and a pair of rearwardly facing handles at therear end thereof. A pair of depending support elements is usuallyprovided at the rear end of the holder. U.S. Patents, Nos. 3,111,333 and3,379,451 to T. O. Marini et al. and No. 3,306,464 to I. W. Rogersillustrate representative examples of this type of prior art refuse canholder.

Refuse can holders of the type above described generally lack means forsecuring the tops of the refuse can thereon to prevent access by animalsor the accidental spillage of the contents of the cans during thetransportation by the holder. A prior art practice has been to attachflexible chains to the handles of the refuse can covers and to the frameof the portable refuse can holder. While this practice may prevent themisplacing of the covers, it is clearly ineffective in preventing theremoval of the covers by animals or the accidental spillage of thecontents of the refuse cans when jostled during their transporting. US.Patents Nos. 3,276,600 and 3,280,988 issued to H. W. Black and V. 0.Bennett, respectively are illustrative of prior art holders with whichthis practice has been adopted.

Other prior art holders have provided means for individually securingthe covers to the refuse cans carried by the holder as illustrated inUS. Patents Nos. 3,235,213 to W. E. Hall and 3,292,795 to J. W.Chappell. The portable refuse can holders of this type in generalcomprise an upstanding member at the front and rear of the holder andrather intricate mechanical means, often spring biased, for hinging arigid arm thereto along the axis of the holder. The rigid arms arecustomarily secured to the handle of the refuse can cover. Such refusecan cover securing means have a disadvantage in that the individualrefuse cans cannot be removed from the holder with their covers in placewithout first detaching the cover from the rigid arm. This procedure maybe quite time consuming and may also require the use of hand tools.Since it may be desirable to use one of the refuse cans from time totime in a location separate from the holder, this disadvantage oftenconstitutes a serious inconvenience.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a novel,multiple unit, portable refuse can holder in which the covers may beretained on the refuse cans to prevent access by dogs and other animals,and to prevent the accidental spillage of the contents thereof whiletransporting the cans in the holder.

3,479,047. Patented Nov. 18, 1969 ice Another object is to provide anovel, multiple unit, portable refuse can holder in which an individualrefuse can may be selectively removed from the holder with its cover inplace thereon.

Yet another object is to provide a novel portable holder for multiplerefuse cans having a simplified, lightweight and sturdy construction.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a novelportable double refuse can holder so designed and constructed that itcan be packaged and sold in knockdown form and quickly and easilyassembled by the purchaser.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the appended claims and upon a reading of thefollowing detailed description in conjunction with the drawings.

The drawings FIGURE 1 is a pictorial view of the portable refuse canholder of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation of the portable refuse can holder;

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the portable refuse can holder; and

FIGURE 4 is an end elevation of the portable refuse can holder.

Detailed description Referring to the figures, where like portions ofthe portable double refuse can holder of the present invention are givenlike numerical designations to facilitate a description thereof, acentrally located longitudinal strap member 10 having a horizontalportion 12 and upstanding legs 14 and 16 is provided to serve as thebasic frame member. The legs 14 and 16 are of substantially the samelength and diverge slightly at their upper ends 18, as illustrated bestin FIGURE 2, to substantially conform to the truncated coneconfiguration of the conventional refuse can.

A further upstanding strap member 20, located substantially midwaybetween the legs 14 and 16 and coplanar therewith, is suitably secured,such as by welding, to the upper surface 22 of the bottom or horizontalportion 12 of the longitudinal member 10. The upstanding member 20 isdisposed substantially perpendicular to the surface 22 of strap member10 and is of a length sufiicient for its upper end 24 to rise verticallysubstantially the same distance above the horizontal portion 12 as theends 18 of the legs 14 and 16 of the longitudinal strap member 10.

A pair of substantially identical U-shaped transverse strap members 26and 28 are disposed with their horizontal or bottom portions 35'immediately adjacent the bottom portion 12 of the longitudinal strapmember 10 and respectively equidistant between the leg 14 and theupstanding member 20 and between the upstanding member 20 and the leg 16in a plane normal to the plane of the longitudinal strap member.

The transverse strap members 26 and 28 may be secured to thelongitudinal strap member 10 at the point where they cross as by meansof a bolt 30 inserted through aligned apertures into threaded engagementwith a suitable nut 32. The transverse members 26 and 28 may bepermanently deformed at this juncture so that the upper surfaces 34thereof are substantially coplanar with the upper surface 22 of thehorizontal portion 12 of the longitudinal strap member 10. Thesesurfaces 22 and 34 constitute the support for the bottom of the refusecan.

Both of the transverse members 26 and 28 are substantially U-shaped inconfiguration with the bottom portion 35 being substantially one-halfthe length of the bottom portion 12 of the longitudinal member andextending equidistant on opposite sides thereof. The upstanding legs 37of the transverse members 26 and 28 are substantially the same lengthand are approximately one-third longer than the legs 14 and 16 of thelongitudinal member 10. Like the legs 14 and 16 of the longitudinalmember 10, the legs 37 of the transverse members 26 and 28 may divergeslightly so as to conform to the shape of the conventional refuse can.

A horizontally disposed, endless strap member 36 in the form of acircular ring is secured to the end 18 of the leg 14 of the longitudinalmember 10, the end 24 of the upstanding 20, and the legs 37 of thetransverse member 26 at substantially the same height above the surfaces22 and 34. The points at which the ring member 36 is secured to thelongitudinal and transverse members 10 and 26 are spaced approximately90. The means of attachment may be varied as desired, but mayconveniently take the form of bolts 40 extending through alignedapertures into threaded engagement with suitable nuts 12. The diameterof the ring member 36 is, of course selected to accommodate theconventional refuse can at that height above the surfaces 22 and 34.

A second endless member 44 identical in every respect to the ring member36 is secured to the end 18 of the leg 16, the end 24 of the upstandingmember 20, and the legs 37 of the transverse member 28 by means ofthreaded bolts 40 and nuts 42 similar to those earlier described, or thesame as, where appropriate.

The ring members 36 and 44 are thus disposed substantially coplanar andare secured fore and aft to the ends 18 of the legs 14 and 16 of thelongitudinal strap member 10, to each other, and to the end 24 of theupstanding member in the center of the holder, and to the legs 37 of thetransverse members 26 and 28 on both sides thereof. The ring members 36and 44 need not be mutually secured to the upstanding strap member 20but some means must be provided to prevent longitudinal separation ofthe ring members 36 and 44.

Aditional rigidity is provided by use of diagonal braces 46 secured tothe point at which the ring member 44 is secured to the legs 37 of thetransverse member 28 by the same bolts 40 and 42 and to the lower end 48of the legs 37 of the transverse member 26 by other bolts 50 and nuts 52of like character.

An axle bar 54 spans the bottom portion 35 of the forward transversemember 26 in an underlying relationship thereto. The axle bar 54 may bewelded or otherwise secured to the horizontal .portion 35 in anyconventional manner with the ends 56 thereof projecting outwardly beyondthe legs 27 of the transverse member 26. A wheel 58 is freely journaledon each of the outwardly extending ends 56 of the axle bar 54 to supportthe lower bottom portion 35 of the transverse strap member 26, in aspaced relation to the surface upon which the holder rests.

A support 58 comprises a surface contacting portion 60 and a pair oflightly diverging legs 62 is secured to the bottom portion 35 of thetransverse strap member 28 in any conventional manner as by welding. Thelegs 62 of the support 58 are substantially equal in length to theradius of the wheels 58 journaled on the ends 56 of the axle bar 54 sothat the plane of the refuse can supporting surfaces 22 and 34 of thelongitudinal and transverse strap members 10 and 26 and 28 issubstantially parallel to the surface upon which the holder rests.

The bottom portion 68 of an elongated handle 70 is secured to thehorizontal portion 12 of the longitudinal strap member 10 in proximityto the leg 16 by means of a pair of bolts 64 extending through alignedapertures into threaded engagement with suitable nuts 66. The handle 70includes an upstanding portion 72 which extends upwardly in the plane ofthe longitudinal strap member 10. The upstanding portion 72 of thehandle 70 may diverge slightly from the leg 16 of the longitudinalmember 10 and the upper end 74 thereof may be bent rearwardly to providea suitable hand grip for lifting the support 58 clear of the surfaceupon which the holder rests so that the holder may be rolled on thewheels 58. A cap 76 of rubber or plastic material may be optionallyprovided on the extreme end 76 of the handle 70.

The handle 70 is secured to the ring member 44 by means of a curvedbrace 77 welded or otherwise secured at its extremities to spaced pointson the ring member 44. The brace 77 may be apertured to receive a bolt79 inserted through an aligned aperture in the upstanding portion 72 ofthe handle 70 into threaded engagement with a suitable nut 81.

A strap member 80 is secured to the upper extremities 82 of theupstanding portions 37 of the transverse members 26 and 28 along oneside of the holder as by means of bolts 84 extending through alignedapertures into threaded engagement with suitable nuts 86.

A vertically adjustable strap member 88 is secured to the strap member80 substantially half way between the extremities 82 of the legs 37 ofthe transverse members 26 and 28 at a substantially 90 angle. Thevertical adjustment of the member 88 may be accomplished by means of aplurality of vertically spaced apertures 90, one of which may be movedinto alignment with an aperture 92 in the member 80 for the insertion ofa bolt 94 therethrough into threaded engagement with a nut (not shown).The height of the upper end '96 of the member 88 may thus be readilyadjusted with respect to the member 80. A suitable eye 98 may be securedin any conventional manner as by welding to the upper extremity 96 ofthe vertically adjustable member 88.

A pair of vertically adjustable extensions 100 are secured to the upperextremities 102 of the legs 37 of the transverse strap members 26 and 28on the other side of the holder. The extensions 100 may be provided witha plurality of vertically spaced apertures 104 for selective alignmentwith an aperture 106 in the extremities 102 of the legs 37 so that theheight of the upper extremities 108 of the extensions 100 may be readilyadjusted with respect to the holder. The upper extremities 108 of theextensions 100 may conveniently be twisted 90 so that the axis of anaperture 110 therein lies substantially parallel to the longitudinalaxis of the holder.

A refuse can cover securing yoke 112 comprises a pair of endless strapmembers 114 in the form of circles substantially centered verticallyover the bolts 30 used to secure the longitudinal strap member 10 to thetransverse strap members 26 and 28. Each of the ring members 114 isapproximately one half the size of the ring members 36 and 44 indiameter.

Both of the ring members 114 are secured in a conventional manner, as bywelding, to a transverse member 115. Each of the members 115 is hingedlysecured to the upper extremity 108 of one of the extensions 100 of thetransverse strap members 26 and 28 by means of a hinge bolt 116extending through an aligned aperture therein.

A U-shaped member 18 comprising a longitudinally extending portion 120and transversely extending legs 122 is disposed substantially coplanarwith the ring members 114. The ends 124 of the legs 122 of the member118 are secured to the ring member 114 in a conventional manner, as bywelding.

A hasp 126 is secured, as by welding, to depend from the longitudinallyextending portion 120 of the member 118. The hasp 126 has an elongatedaperture 128 which cooperates in a conventional manner with the eye 98of the adjustable strap member 88 to latch the refuse can cover securingyoke 112 in a closed position. A bolt or padlock (not shown) may beinserted over the hasp 126 and through the eye 98 if additional securityis desired.

From the foregoing description, it is clear that the double refuseholder of the present invention is extremely simple, lightweight anddurable in its construction while providing security and easytransportation of the refuse cans. It is to be understood that therefuse can cover securing yoke may be hinged from the side of the holderopposite to that illustrated, and that the present invention may beembodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit ofthe invention or essential characteristics thereof. The presentembodiment is, therefore, to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention beingindicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription.

What is claimed is:

1. A portable refuse can holder comprising:

a longitudinal U-shaped member having a substantially horizontal portionand upstanding legs of equal length;

a pair of longitudinally spaced transverse U-shaped members each havinga substantially horizontal portion and upstanding legs of equal length,the horizontal portion of each of said transverse members being mountednear its midpoint to the horizontal portion of said longitudinal member,the horizontal portions of said transverse members being substantiallycoplanar with and disposed substantially normal to the horizontalportion of said longitudinal member to support a refuse can, the legs ofsaid transverse members extending upwardly at least as high as the legsof said longitudinal member;

a pair of endless ring members each secured to one of the legs of sadlongitudinal member and the legs of one of said transverse members;

means for maintaining said ring members in a longitudinally fixedrelation to each other;

wheel means located under one of said transverse members;

ground engaging support means mounted at the other one of saidtransverse members;

a handle mounted to the horizontal portion of said longitudinal memberat the end thereof adjacent said other transverse member, said handleextending upwardly and outwardly from said holder along the longitudinalaxis thereof;

means to limit the longitudinal separation of said handle from said ringmembers;

hinge means mounted on the legs of said transverse members on one sideof said longitudinal member;

a unitary member connected to said hinge means, said unitary memberhaving surfaces adapted to maintain covers on the refuse cans when saidunitary member is closed position and to allow removal of the refuse canfrom the holder when said unitary member is in an open position; and

latch means supported by the leg of at least one of said transversemembers on the other side of said longitudinal member for maintainingsaid unitary member in a closed position.

2. The holder of claim 1 including an upstanding mounted on thehorizontal portion of said longitudinal member near the midpoint thereofand extending up wardly into engagement with said ring membermaintaining means.

3. The holder of claim 1 wherein said unitary member includes a pair ofendless substantially circular members and means supporting saidcircular members substantially coaxial with said ring members when saidunitary member is in a closed position.

4. The holder of claim 3 wherein said circular members are disposedsubstantially coplanar .and have a diameter substantially less than thediameter of said members; and

wherein said ring member maintaining means includes an upstanding membermounted on the horizontal portion of said longitudinal member near themidpoint thereof.

'5. The holder of claim 1 including a diagonal brace securedto one legof said other transverse member at a first point and to the leg of saidone transverse member on the same side of said longitudinal member assaid one leg at a second point, said first and second points beingvertically spaced with respect to the horizontal portion'of saidlongitudinal member.

'6. The holder of claim 1 wherein said latch means includes;

an elongated member secured to the upper extremities -of-the legs ofsaid transverse members on said other side of said longitudinal member;

means secured to said elongated member including an'eye; and

means including a hasp secured to said unitary me- -ber, said hasp beingadapted to engage said eye when said unitary member is in a closedposition.

7. The holder of claim 6 wherein the spacing between said eye and saidelongated member is adjustable, and wherein said unitary member isconnected to the upper extremities of the legs of said transversemembers by way of adjustable extensions whereby the vertical spacingbetween said circular members and the bottoms of said longitudinal andtransverse members may be adjusted to adapt the holder to refuse cans ofdifferent heights.

8. The holder of claim 7 including a diagonal brace secured to one legof said other transverse member at a first point and to the leg of saidone transverse member on the same side of said longitudinal member assaid one leg at a second point, said first and second points beingvertically spaced with respect to the horizontal portion of saidlongitudinal member, and wherein said unitary member includes twomembers each connected at one end thereof to said hinge means and at theother end thereof to one of said circular members, and a U- shapedmember having a horizontal portion and legs of equal length, each ofsaid legs of said last mentioned U- shaped member being secured to oneof said circular members approximately around the circumference thereoffrom said hinge means connected member to said last mentioned U-shapedmember being disposed substantially coplanar with said circular members,said hasp being secured to the horizontal portion of said last mentionedU-shaped member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/1966 Hall 248-129 12/1966Chappell 280--47.19

US. Cl. X.R. 21l71; 248-192

